Driving-gear for bicycles



v '2 Sheets- Sheet 1. D. LIPPY & I. E. FINFROCK.

(No Mbdel.)

DRIVING GEAR FOR BIGYGLBS.

No. 546,703. Patented Sept; 24, 1895.

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(No Model.) v 7. 2 SheetsSheet 2.

, "D. LIPPY 8c I.-E. FINPROGK.

V DRIVING GBAR'FOR BIGY GL'ES. No. 546,703. Patented Sept. 24, 1895.

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DAVID'LIPPY AND IRA1ELMER INFROOK, OFMANSFIELD, on ro DRIVING-GEAR PATEN F 195 tea BIICYCLEIS. 1

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 546,7Q3, dated September 24, 1895.

Application filed a... 2 6, 1894. semi No. 515,739. ma as.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat we, DAVID LIPPY and IRA ELMER FINFROOK, citizens of the United States, residing at Mansfield; in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driv ing-Gear for Bicycles; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,'and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification,an'd to the letters of reference marked thereon. V

The present invention has relation to that class of differential-speed mechanism for bicycles in which provision is made for changing the speed and power of the machine to adapt it to the nature or character of the road over which the machine is propelled without the necessity of the rider dismounting, and also enabling the pedal-shaft to be disconnected with the gearing when it is desired to use the machine in coasting on downgrades.

It is the objectof the invention to improve this difierential-speed mechanism, whereby lightness, strength, and durability are secured and the mechanism will be simple in construction and easily operated by the rider without dismounting and while the machine is in motion, which objects are attained by the mechanism substantially as shown in the drawings and hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawings represents a side elevation of a bicycle with our improved differential-speed mechanism applied thereto.

. Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the mechanism on an enlarged scale and partly in section; Fig. 3, a similar view to that of Fig. 1, showing a modification of the diiferentialspeed mechanism; Fig. 4, a plan view of the mechanism on an enlarged scale and partly in section.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the frame of the machine, which may be of any of the usual forms, and B O are the front and rear wheels, respectively, said frame having the usual. saddle D and provided with the handle-bar E, all of which are of the wellknown construction and common with this class of bicycles.

The dilferential-speed mechanism which forms the subject of our invention consists of i the large sprocket-wheel F, loosely mounted upon the pedal-shaft'a, and upon this shaft is suitable clutchH and upon itsopposite end the forked end ofa lever I. This forked lever is suitably pivoted between transverse bars 0 ing arms cl, to which are connected the ends of rods e, said rodsin turn beingconnected to a pivoted shifting-lever K. This lever is in convenient position to be operated by the rider without dismounting and while the machine is in motion and .will shift the clutch either to the right or left to engage with the holes h in the large sprocket-wheel F or the small sprocket-wheel L, thereby locking the wheel to the pedal-shaft and changing from speed topower, respectively, or vice versa.

The shifting-lever K is held in its adjusted position by engaging with a notched bracket j, secured to the frame of the machine, or by any other desirable and well-known means found best adapted to the purpose.

The small sprocket wheel L is loosely mounted upon the sleeve G and prevented from longitudinal movement thereon by the pinsf, which pins extend through the pedalshaft and through longitudinal'slots g in the sleeve. The slots g allow of the free movement of the sleeve lengthwise of the shaft when shifted thereon by the forked lever and its connections, the pins and slots forming guides for the sleeve as well as to prevent it turning upon its axis. The sleeve G at its end has tongues t', diametrically opposite each other, which engage with a slotted collar M, rigidly connectedto the pedal-shaft a. The above means provide an additional security against the sleeve moving laterally or rotating upon its axis and removes any lateral strain upon the pins, which would occur were not additional means provided for holding the sleeve against movement upon its axis. When the clutch is in the position shown'in Fig. 2, it is disconnected from both "the sprocket-wheels, and consequently the pedalshaft is disconnected from the driving-gear, thereby enabling the machine to be used in shaft rotating.

The frame of the bicycle has a slotted hanger a slidablesleeve G, having upon one end a p of the bicycle frame and has laterally extend annular flanges b,between which is located coasting on downgrades without the pedal- N, to which is connected a short stationary shaft 7t, and upon this shaft are loosely mounted two sprocket-wheels O P, of uniform size, which wheels have hubs Z 112, respectively, and are connected together by suitable screws or other fastenings, so that the wheels will rolate together. The hub of the bicycle-wheel C is provided with a small sprocket-wheel R, over which passes a sprocket-chain 0, said chain engaging with the sprocket-Wheel F upon the pedal shaft, and also with the sprocket-wheel 0 upon the short stationary shaft. A second sprocket-chain 19 connects the two sprocket-wheels P L together, and the shaft a is provided with the usual foot-pedals 'r for operating it. The short shaft 70 is rendered vertically adjustable by means of the slotted hanger N, and said shaft is held securely in its adjusted position by means of a nut s engaging with the screw-threaded end of the shaft, and if desired a washert may be interposed between the nut and hanger. The adjustment of the short shaft 70 enables the height of the wheels 0 P to be changed, whereby any slack of the sprocket-chain may be taken up, also rendering the engagement of the sprocket-wheels and chain more certain and removing the liability of the chain becoming accidentally disconnected.

In Figs. 3 and 4 there is shown a modification of the speed mechanism, the slotted hanger being dispensed with and the wheel 0 increased in size, but the two wheels being connected together in substantially the same manner as shown in Fig. 2. In this modification the wheel F is shown as the same size as the wheel L, which latter wheel is dished in shape; but in other respects the general construction of the mechanism is substantially the same as thatshown in Fig. 2.

Having now fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The treadle shaft a, the two wheels F, L, placed loosely thereon, a sliding clutch placed between the wheels and provided with slots 9, flanges b, and tongues 71; the recessed collar M, and the pinsf, secured to the shaft, and a mechanism for moving the clutch; combined with a bearing 71, having one end socured to the frame, the two wheels 0, P, placed upon the bearing and having tubular hubs that are sccuredtogether, the short chain 19,-that extends only around the wheels L, l, the chain 0, which extends around the wheels F, H, and past the wheel 0, and the wheel II, on the rear hub substantially as described.

In testimony that we claim the above we have hereunto subscribed our names in the presence of two witnesses.

DAVID LlPPY. IRA ELMER FINFROCK. Witnesses:

BURTON J. Oos'rrsn, V. II. GIFFORD. 

